Due to some major life changes, I'm having to re-home my beloved Beagle Mr. Bojangles. I already made plans for him to go live with my best friend (whom is only 16) and her mother. They live in SC, near where I will be living for about 2.5 months. They have a female GSD and two cats already. LUCKILY Beau LOVES cats and gets along VERY well with dogs.

I don't wanna be bashed for having to re-home my baby, I know dogs are a life-long commitment and I know that he is mine and I shouldn't be doing this to him. I don't have a choice. I love my dog so damn much. It's killing me to do this. I've had him since I was 14 years old and I'm now almost 21. He just turned 7 and I've had him since he was 6 months old. I rescued him actually. He's my heart dog and the love of my life. I couldn't live without him really. He's my child. But I have noi choice, it's what's best for him and me.

See I'm joining the US Army and I can't let him stay at home with my family. We have three dogs inculding Beau, plus a cat and a bird. Beau is MY dog, I pay for everything for him. I pay his vet bills, food, collars, chains, toys, grooming, etc. I trained him myself. I'm currently working on getting his CGC and hoping to get him ceritfied as a therapy dog, as well training him in weight pulling. My friend is going to do these things with him, due to her dog not be able to. She wants a dog that she can take places and work with. I'm getting side-tracked.

My point is I can't keep him at home with my family. Our westie and him HATE each other with a PASSION! We are on a crate and rotate system right now. And most of the time poor Beau gets the short end of the stick. He has to stay outside on his zip-line, even though he grew up as a house dog. And my mom would let him get fat and not take him to get his shots or anything.

I'm hoping I'm not going to get bashed for having to re-home my dog, due to me joining the military. He's going to a great home. But it's killing me knowing I have to this.

IM very HO, rehoming an animal is nothing to be smited for. Lives change, dogs change, arrangements have to change. The dogs can take it. I wish the absolute best for your pup and for you. Stay safe and thank you for everything you have done/will do for our country.

furever_pit wrote:IM very HO, rehoming an animal is nothing to be smited for. Lives change, dogs change, arrangements have to change. The dogs can take it. I wish the absolute best for your pup and for you. Stay safe and thank you for everything you have done/will do for our country.

Thank you for that! It made me feel alot better about this. I just feel so guilty I guess is the word about it, because he's pretty much been my world for 6 1/2 years. I hope that made sense.

Well, first of all...THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE MILITARY AND PROTECTING EVERY ONE OF US.

And second of all, I think it is terrific that you have planned for a new home for Mr. Bojangles. I am sure he will do just FINE there!

And third...(because I like to give unasked for sage wisdom...) Do not allow "guilt" to enter your mind. Guilt is brought on by our THINKING we have to live up to the standards, values and morals of others. You know what? Not so much.

IMO you have nothing to feel guilty about. You made an honorable choice in joining the military (Thank you very much!) and you have made provisions for your dog. I think it's great that you realize he would not get the care you want him to have in his current home, so have made arrangements for a better situation for him.

I've heard several stories about young people enlisting and needing to re-home their dogs. You are not the only one by any means.

You really have nothing to feel guilty or weird about. It would be a different story if you hadn't made a plan for your boy, you know like the people on craigslist frantically posting "OMG need to rehome my dog because I'm moving in 2 days!" You've obviously put a lot of thought into the well being of Beau and I only wish more people put that much thought into their pet's future.

In my mind, there are reasons that are "ok" for rehoming, and reasons that are not. I am a judgmental person, and I don't apologize for that.

This reason makes sense in the grand scheme of things since your mother would be the primary care giver and she doesn't seem to want the dog. You're 21 and joining the military, you obviously can't take him with you.

This is one of those "why Michelle thinks kids shouldn't be the primary owner of pets" things, but that's neither here nor there because you've had him for 7 years and have been a responsible owner. However, it's time for a major life change, and you can't "make" your mom step up to the plate.

I think it's fantastic that your friend is taking him. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to look out for him, sooo many people just don't bother. Fort Drum is about two hours north of us, and at deployment time the shelter and rescues up there get flooded with pets because people just don't think ahead.

Thanks for joining the military, please stay safe, and I hope you're able to keep in touch here!

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

iluvk9 wrote:Well, first of all...THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE MILITARY AND PROTECTING EVERY ONE OF US.

And second of all, I think it is terrific that you have planned for a new home for Mr. Bojangles. I am sure he will do just FINE there!

And third...(because I like to give unasked for sage wisdom...) Do not allow "guilt" to enter your mind. Guilt is brought on by our THINKING we have to live up to the standards, values and morals of others. You know what? Not so much.